Maybe it’s why I decided that playing a round of golf was more important than watching Sox-Yankees live. Maybe it’s because I saw the 7th inning score on the way home, making the recording much less interesting. All I know is that Sox-Yankees just isn’t the same as it used to be. I used to take the day off from work to watch a day game when the Sox were playing in the Bronx, but this time around, I just don’t really care. The hype on ESPN and such-like is out of control, as always, but I can’t get that worked up about an August game against a third place team that’s 9.5 games out, and 5 behind the Sox (going into the game). It’s just another August game, and it doesn’t really matter who they’re playing. I care a whole lot more about the Tampa series in a couple weeks (against an actual first place team), especially since the Sox are due to break the home sellout streak and I should be there. 

That said, I did watch the whole game once I was home, and it was nice to see the bullpen hold down the fort for once, especially when they had to pitch 4 innings. Who knew Manny Delcarmen could pitch with a lead and not give up a run? Not that a hit and two walks in a third of an inning is a good line, but he didn’t give up a run! Let’s celebrate! 

Am I the only one who thinks Tito yanked Okajima with 2 out in the 8th was so Paps could get a save? Okajima came in with two of Masterson’s runners on, got a strike out and a pop up, and wasn’t allowed to face Pudge. The guy’s hitting .208 with the Yankees (small sample size, I know), why don’t you think Okajima can get him out? But if you bring in Paps with 2 out and 2 on (tying run on deck), it’s a save situation, whereas if he starts the ninth (4 run lead to start the inning), it’s not. Hey, who am I to complain about padding a player’s stats when it results in a win?

One other thing I leanred today: Obama is a White Sox fan, and called Cubbie fans “fair-weather.” Them’s fightin’ words!

(Note from the editor: The views expressed in this blog post don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of the Dirty Watah blog. Other authors were frantically re-loading Yahoo while in China because they truly hate the MFY, and are thinking of staying up for the Thursday game that will be broadcast on TV in Shanghai at 1 A.M.)